HomeAdvice for dog owners
Our dog wardens encourage dog owners to be responsible and look after their animals.
This includes making sure your dog has a valid licence and identity tag, cleaning up after him, not allowing him out on his own and keeping his barking to a minimum.
Use the links below to find the information you need:
Grooming
Grooming can help you develop a close relationship with your dog. It's also useful for monitoring your pet's health and spotting any potential problems.- make grooming part of your dog's daily routine so he knows what to expect each day
- look out for any lumps, skin complaints or other changes in his appearance
- pay attention to your dog's teeth, feet and nails
- try to make grooming a positive experience for your pet and reward him afterwards to encourage good behaviour.
Training and exercise
Your dog requires lots of training and exercise to keep him healthy and happy. Our dog wardens recommend that you:- start training your dog as soon as possible
- ask your vet or other owners about dog training courses in your area
- 'socialise' your dog and help him get used to new people and experiences
- take your dog for regular daily exercise, this will vary depending on what breed he is
- check out the Dogs Trust website for more information about looking after your dog.
Health and wellbeing
Healthy dogs are happy dogs and, as a dog owner, it's your responsibility to make sure your dog receives the proper medical care. Here are some points to remember:- ask your vet which vaccinations your dog should receive and when
- check him regularly for signs of fleas and worms
- keep your pet in good shape with a healthy diet and regular exercise
- consider neutering your dog to prevent unwanted births and reduce the problem of strays
- pay particular attention to puppies and older dogs who may have special health requirements.
Behaviour
How your dog behaves provides an insight into how he is feeling and whether he is happy. Excessive barking, boredom and problems with fouling could be signs of ill-health or unhappiness.- keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated to stop him getting bored
- reward your dog if he behaves well
- help him to cope with loud noises, fireworks and other things he may be frightened of
- don't leave your pet alone for long periods of time
- check out our tips for dealing with barking dogs
Car safety
Cars can become extremely hot in warm weather, particularly for dogs. In as little as 20 minutes, a dog could suffer heatstroke and die a very painful death. Follow these tips to keep your pet safe:- check the weather before you leave home and think about whether you need to take your dog
- make sure your dog has plenty of room and isn't sitting in direct sunlight
- have plenty of rest stops, especially on longer journeys
- take lots of cold water and ice cubes with you
- never leave your dog on his own in the car, even if you have left water out and kept the windows open
- never walk past a dog if you see it overheating in a car. Call our dog wardens, the police or the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) instead.
Dogs and Halloween
Fireworks can be distressing for our pets but there are some things owners can do to reduce their stress and fear.- Make sure your dog is in a safe environment so that it does't bolt or escape if frightened by a loud noise
- Keep dogs indoors, close all windows, doors, curtains and cat or dog flaps
- Make sure your dog is not left alone
- Play some soothing music or have the TV on to drown out the noise
- Make your dog a den by draping a blanket over a table so it can hide and feel safe and secure. Try doing this two weeks before Halloween
- Ignore any fearful behaviour. Soothing a dog gives the impression that there is something frightening
- Ignore the noise yourself as dogs will pick up on your reaction
- Try to engage your dog in distracting play if your pet is only mildly fearful
- Make sure your dog is wearing a secure licence tag, collar and have your dog microchipped
- Exercise your dog before dark, and make sure it is on a secure lead at all time.
